Audible Book Review: Gracie’s Touch by S.E. Smith

This is spicy sexually but a very warm romance in a space sci fi.

Gracie’s Touch
By: S.E. Smith
Narrated by: David Brenin

Series: Zion Warriors, Book 1
Length: 7 hrs and 59 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 01-03-17
Language: English
Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc.
Genre: Romance, Sci Fi, Space Military
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.5; Narration 4.5.

Publisher's Summary
New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of science fiction and paranormal romance brings another action, adventure, and suspense-filled story to transport listeners out of this world. Gracie Jones was little more than a child when Earth was invaded by an alien species. Escaping into the subway tunnels of New York City, she hid in fear of being captured. Discovered by four men who became her protectors, she fought alongside them, and they became known as the Freedom Five. At 17, she made a decision that turned the tide in the war between Earth and the Alluthans, but in exchange, she gave up all that she knew. Kordon Jefe is a Zion Warrior and the commanding officer in charge of the Confederation of Planets' military. When an unknown species begins attacking some of their outer settlements, he is assigned to discover who they are and stop them - at any cost. Gracie finds herself stranded millions of light years and hundreds of years in the future in a distant galaxy on an undeveloped moon. When an old enemy threatens once more, she does not hesitate to use her knowledge to try to stop them once again. Only this time, it is not just Earth she will be saving, but the Confederation itself. When their two worlds are thrown together, Kordon is unsure what to do with the strange, delicate creature who fights and behaves unlike anyone he has ever encountered before. One thing he does know - he plans to keep her.
©2016 S.E. Smith (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Review:
Gracie was just a child when she survived the invasion of a brutal alien attack that decimated humanity on earth. Gracie hid in the subway tunnels until she was brought under the protection of a group of young men. The five rebels became known as The Freedom Five who led a revolution against the aliens. The only way to defeat the enemy was for Gracie to risk infiltrating the enemy mothership. She succeeded but instead of returning to earth the stolen ship she was on was hurtled deep in space to an “unknown” planet. Gracie survives on the planet and after three years despairs of ever hearing another voice. To her surprise her radio outreach attracts a lead military ship of the Confederation of Planets'.

Gracie’s gentle voice pulls in captain Kordon Jefe, a strong, usually unexcitable, Zion Warrior. Kordon becomes obsessed with finding the woman behind the voice even as his team warn him that it might be a trap as the ship is similar to a recent mysterious enemy who has been attacking isolated mining worlds.

Gracie has linguist and technical knowledge that can help the Confederation. The time travel changes the situation for Gracie. Her joy at being rescued soon turns to devastation. How can Kordon and his crew convince Gracie to fight the common enemy? And how can Kordon convince Gracie to forget her first love and take a chance on a current love? He’ll figure a way to woo her since he isn’t going to give her up.

I enjoyed the space sci fi elements, the danger and the action. In addition to the threat of the Alluthan enemy, there is an enemy closer to home who poses a threat particularly to Gracie. Not all of the plot threads are realistic so some of that has to be overlooked to enjoy the rest of the story.

All of this is a setting for a strong romance between an emotionally hurt human and a normally unemotional warrior. Kordon wants to be this big, protective mate, but of course, there is no real way to control an independent human female! Part of the fun of the story is watching (listening to) the couple grow in their relationship. (There is a secondary romance between other crew members too.) The sex elements are a little to heavy for me – Audible labeled “hot d..n”.

The world building and writing is clean and strong. The action story is still engaging but the romance takes over the story. I recommend this to sci fi readers who like heavy romance… or even more to heavy romance readers who like sci fi elements.

Audio Notes: David Brenin does a very good job with the narration. He provides believable female voices as well as strong male voice. He carries the story plot lien with appropriate pacing and energy.

Source: August 2017 Audible sale $4.95. This qualifies for 2019TBR and 2019Audiobook Goals.

Sharing Beyond Books #363 Comment Giveaway February 23, 2019

Hello again and Welcome back to Sharing Beyond Books, SBB.

Thanks to everyone who commented last week.
Thirteen of us do give books for Christmas, birthdays or other holidays. Six of those who give gifts mentioned family specifically. One of the four who don't give books gives Gift Cards hoping the recipients will buy books they like. Another notes that her family members want cash. And I smiled at Sue's answer: "The only books I get for holidays are the ones I buy for myself." That is always nice too. :-)

The Winner from SBB #362 comments is: #13 BN100 who can make a GC choice if international or book choice from the Updated (**Finally!) ARC/Review titles or (recently updated) Love and Christmas titles - all linked near the end of the post. -- [12/15/18 I am pulling out some new Christmas and Love titles to add to the Win box choices. I had to move the books due to the water threat in office. I will dig them out again soon.]

**NOTE: I did post an Updated ARC and Other books for Giveaways. I have to go back and list the titles -- someday.
Please let me know your choice by completing the WINNER FORM.

WEEK #363

(One Question.)

Ashfa asks: Do you ever write in the margins of your books??

Rarely do I write in the margins. When I do, it is my Bible, a study guide or reference book that I own and plan to reuse. The image below isn't unlike mine with different color highlights for different years of reading.

Image found at Yankee in The Bible Belt.

Thanks to those who are sending in Questions. DON'T BE SHY! Surely everyone has a Q or two you'd like to ask. Input suggestions in this Suggested Question Form. At the end of each month I draw from the suggestions I used during the month and that person will get a book choice or GC. I thank everyone for submitting questions. Thanks for sending in questions! The supply of questions is dwindling so share some if you think of any -- even if they are duplicates I'll weed through or try to modify.
February questions were supplied by St. James and Ashfa who each get 1/2 book or $2.50 credit.

Your turn to share. Ashfa asks: Do you ever write in the margins of your books??

SBB Comment Winners can choose a selection from the Updated ARC and Other books, including the "Love" and Christmas titles all in one post.

SBB Rules:
a) Must be a follower.
b) Share a comment on the question above.
Open internationally and an international winner may get a smaller book or a $5.00 GC if I decide the mailing is too much.
I will pick a Comment winner from all comments made through Saturday March 9, 2019 at 5 PM central.

Martha's Bookshelf***Friday Pick Giveaway February 22, 2019

Happy Friday! I am praying for many throughout the US who are suffering through snow, ice and rain storms.

TO ENTER FRIDAY PICK

US Entrants: Leave a comment and tell me WHICH BOOK you would like to get from the Friday Pick lists.

INTERNATIONAL: Leave a comment indicating "Gift Card" (see further comments near the end of the post.)

CUT OFF TIME IS THURSDAY NIGHTS AT 9:00 PM CENTRAL so I do not have to stay up too late to do the winner post! I will randomly pick two winners to announce Friday mornings with the next Pick post.

Thank you to all who entered the February 15, 2019 Pick. There was one automatic win again this week. Automatic wins are those who requested the book four times without other people asking for that book during those weeks. No titles were blocked.
Emily gets The New Birth Order.

CONGRATULATIONS
to Random.org picked Winners from February 15, 2019 Pick:
Elizabeth gets Echo Burning
and
Marjorie gets a GC

All winners please fill in the Winner's Acceptance Form or email me to confirm your win, send your snail mail address information and let me know if you would like bookmarks - sensual, sexy or sweet bookmarks. {The form is new because Google changed their forms and the old one wasn't letting me print out the responses.}

Always fun to read with the (grand)kids.
Image found at Raising Lifelong Learners.

New Book Group #84 December 15, 2018
Here are some Christmas titles to pick from.

One PAIR:
Susan Wiggs: Snowfall and Fireside
SINGLES:
A Family for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving by Janet Evanovich
On this Holy Night
A Rancher for Christmas
Christmas Haven
Christmas Brides Anthology
Holiday in Death
Christmas Homecoming
Together by Christmas Anthology
The Christmas Date
The Christmas Promise (hardback)
A Blue and Grey Christmas (hardback)
The Snow Angel (CD Audiobook)
King Harold's Snow Job


New Book Group #83 November 30, 2018

(Starting bottom left and continuing up then down)
PAIRS:
Kat Martin: Bold Angel and Devil's Prize
Elizabeth Lowell: Death Is Forever and Running Scared
SINGLE
It Takes a Hero by Elizabeth Boyle
Two Alone by Sandra Brown
'Tween a Devil and his hard Place by Sam Cheever
Seductive Secrets by Lynne Connolly
Seven Up by Janet Evanovich - Audio Cassettes
A Good Walk Spoiled by John Feinstein Audio Cassettes
Highland Guardian by Melissa Mayhue
Hot Pursuit by Christinea Skye
Sisters & Secrets Anthology
Reader's Digest Condensed Books - each hardback
Cold Harbour and The Courtship of Peggy McCoy
The Things We Do for Love, Three Weeks With My Brother, The Murder Artist and Night Train to Lisbon
Follow the Stars Home, Hunting Badger, The Quiet Game and Second Wind

New Book Group #82 November 9, 2018

Pairs:
Stella Cameron: French Quarter and Key West
Jude Deveraux: Mulberry Tree and Wild Orchids
SINGLES:
Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews
Unmasked Anthology - Jennifer Blake, Janet Dailey and Elizabeth Gage
Plum Lovin' by Janet Evanovich
Killing Time by Linda Howard
The Finer Things by Brenda Joyce
Wicked Promise by Kat Martin
Countess of Scandal by Laurel McKee
The Leopard's Woman by Linda Lael Miller and White Wolf by Lindsay McKenna
Eagle and the Dove by Victoria Morrow
To Love Again by Bertrice Small
The Wedding Night by Barbara Dawson Smith
Primal Obsession by Susan Vaughn

New Book Group #81 August 17, 2018

There are three audios at the top:
Kisscut is Cassettes
SINGLES

Best Laid Plans
Darkness Tell Us
Cooking More Deadly


New Book Group #80 August 17, 2018

Note: The Final Judgment and
The Book of Fate are Audio Cassettes
PAIRS
Fern Michaels and James Patterson
SINGLES:
Summer’s Moon
The Green Trap
End Game
Night School
The Red Tent
The Final Judgment Audio Cassettes
Secrets of Paris
Linda Goodnight
Irish Charmers, the Mighty Quinns
Firebird
No Getting Over a Cowboy
The Book of Fate Audio Cassettes


New Book Group #79 July 13, 2018
I found this box of books buried under some other boxes.

The Vanishing Act of Esme Lenox by Maggie O’Farrell
P.S. by Helen Schulman
Her Sexiest Surprise by Dawn Atkins (personally autographed)
The Maverick Preacher by Victoria Bylin (personally autographed)
The Broken Window by Jeffery Deaver
The Doctor’s Forever Family by Marie Ferrarella
Dakota Child by Linda Ford
Branded by the Sheriff by Delores Fossen
The Italian’s Inexperienced Mistress
Calling the Shots by Ellen Hartman
Promises, Promises by Amber Miller
This Time for Keeps by Jenna Mills
Rhapsody in Time by Judith O’Brien
A Daughter’s Legacy by Virginia Smith
Another Man’s Baby by Kay Stockham
The Cowboy’s Christmas Miracle by RaeAnne Thayne


New Book Group #78 April 27, 2018

PAIRS
Johanna Lindsey Pair
Judith Krentz Pair
SINGLES
Midnight Rainbow
Blackberry Bush
Breaking Point
A Tangled Affair
To Wicked to Love
Betrayed
My Dark Prince
Roses are Red Audio Cassettes
Brothers of Gwynedd
Fatal Defect
Bones of the Sea and Other Stories
By a Spider's Thread



New Book Group #77 February 16, 2018- All gone

New Book Group #76 November 3, 2017
13 books remain of the original 37:

I finally Have them Listed!
Boots & Booties by Kristine Rolofson
Saucer the Conquest by Stephen Coonts
Echo Burning by Lee Child
The Scorpion Seducer by Bonnie Vanak
Hell On Earth by David L. Porter
Tempted All Night by Liz Carlyle
Day of the Dead by J.A. Jance
White Night by Jim Butcher
Five Gold Rings Anthology Constance O’Banyon and three others
Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey
The Glimpses of the Moon by Edith Wharton
Depraved Heart by Patricia Cornwell
Crisscross by Harmon Henkin
Wizard’s Daughter by Catherine Coulter
Pearl Beyond Price by Claire Delacroix
Maelstrom by Anne McCaffrey
The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks
The Wicked Wyckerly by Patricia Rice
Inhuman Condition by Clive Barker
Night Whispers by Judith McNaught
101 Commonsense Rules for the Office by John R. Brinkerhoff

This shelf of 35 books are what is left from Groups #1 (11/27/09) through Group #75 September 29, 2017

(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 14 titles.)
Rehabilitation
Secret Blessing
Named of the Dragon
Daring
Aunt Erma's Cope Book
JoAnn Ross: Confessions
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
The New Birth Order Book by Dr. Kevin Leman
A Kiss Before Dawn by Kimberly Logan
The Fireman’s Fair by Josephine Humphreys (Hardcover)
Bound by Destiny by Rayka Mennen
Rainbow Mars by Larry Niven
There Was A Little Girl by Ed McBain (Audio Cassettes)
Love's Brazen Fire by Betina Krahn 

(Title list reads left at bottom to right at top - 21 titles.)
Plan of Attack by Dan Brown
(*Three more very old books from my Gothics box.)
*The Man in the Garden by Paule Mason (1969 - yellowed)
Fire Dancer by Ann Maxwell
*Four books are very old; pulled from a box of gothic novels I found.
*Maggie – Her Marriage by Taylor Caldwell (1953 very old, yellowed pages, some stain damage doesn't effect reading)
First Things First by Stephen R. Covey- Audio Cassette
Trilogy Of Mysteries Audio Book Shadow Prey, There Was A Little Girl, Smokescreen Audio Cassettes (NOT CDs)
Raintree Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (spine creases)
The Shadowing by Joan Overfield
The Sweetheart Dance by Patti Ann Colt
BOX 4 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 47-53)
Undateable by Ellen Rakieten & Anne Coyle
Jezebel by Katherine Sutcliff
The Hidden Truth of Cytech's Randall Forty by Vickie Kennedy
Breakfast in Bed by Sandra Brown - Audio Cassette Tapes (link is for mass media version)
BOX 3 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 39- 47)
Shetland Summer by Janet Lynnford
BOX 2 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 24- 38)
The Trailsman: Texas Lead Slingers by Jon Sharpe
A Courtesans Guide to Getting Your Man by Susan Donovan and Celeste Bradley -- NOTE This book has dog bite damage; it is missing half back cover and the edges of pages in the back third of the book... it does not effect the text but I will understand if no one wants this one
An Honorable Man by Rosemary Rogers (spine creases)
The Willful Widow by Valerie King (spine wear)
Foundation (Foundation Novels) by Isaac Asimov
BOX #1 2015 (reboxed from Boxes 1- 23)
Ghost Writer (Shivers #3) by M.D. Spenser
Alien Chronicles - The Crimson Claw by Deborah Chester

If you saw the pictures posted of my bookshelves and boxes you know I do have lots of books! And that doesn't include the other eight or so boxes at my office!! And more books as I find deals too good to pass up! I am sharing my book bounty by these Friday Pick Giveaways.

I started Friday Pick on November 27, 2009 and in almost EIGHT years I have posted 82 groups of 16 plus an additional 21 totaling 1,333 books to find new homes! (as of November 9, 2018).

I am happy to say that so far about 1,223+ books have found new homes through this feature! YAY. [A year or so ago I posted I had reached 2000 books given away. As I calculated the numbers 11/2/17 I realized that had to be an error. I realized I went from 1098 to 2001 instead of 1101. Guess I was tired; sorry for the error.] I have to update my print out to check the exact number sent out - a few were never claimed. I periodically update the lists - deleting those won. You can still go to the Friday Pick list link to see older posts and the older lists book pictures if you want!

Note rules here regarding international entries.

Because postage to overseas can be prohibitive I am willing to give a $5.00 book certificate to international winners - Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Borders, ARe, TWRP, ClassAct Books, eTreasures, Desert Breeze, etc....you tell me where and I'll set it up. So for my overseas visitors your comment may indicate a smaller book and I'll check postage or note your choice of gift card.

I learned that The Book Depository does not ship to everywhere. The postage for some of the books to far away places runs between $7.00 and $10.00 and up. Since I would award $5.00 for The Book Depository to an international winner, as an alternative you may choose a smaller book and we will hope the postage will not exceed $6.00. If the postage is more, or if you want to pick a larger book and you are willing to pay any extra postage beyond the $6.00 I will work with you on that. This may not make a difference to many but if it helps one or two of you to give one of my books a home that will make me happy too. :o)

Repeating this helpful blog tip: You can right click on a link and you will be given the choice to open the link in a new window or tab so you do not navigate away from the screen you are on!! I use this all the time!

#NetGalley Book Review: Never Let Go (Uncommon Justice Book #1) by Elizabeth Goddard

I enjoyed this engaging romantic suspense.
Never Let Go (Uncommon Justice Book #1)
by Elizabeth Goddard

File Size: 7226 KB
Print Length: 365 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 0800729846
Publisher: Revell (February 5, 2019)
ASIN: B07F3DM5KF
Genre: Christian, Romantic Suspense
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

As a forensic genealogist, Willow Anderson is following in her late grandfather's footsteps in her quest for answers about a baby abducted from the hospital more than twenty years ago. The case may be cold, but things are about to heat up when someone makes an attempt on her life to keep her from discovering the truth.
Ex-FBI agent--and Willow's ex-flame--Austin McKade readily offers his help to protect the woman he never should have let get away. Together they'll follow where the clues lead them, even if it means Austin must face the past he's spent much of his life trying to forget. And even if it puts Willow's tender heart at risk.
In this fast-paced and emotional page-turner, bestselling author Elizabeth Goddard keeps the stakes high, the romantic tension sparking, and the outcome uncertain until the very end.

Review:
Willow is a forensic genealogist who has learned under grandfather’s expert and intuitive tutelage. Her grandfather has recently died and, struggling with self-doubt, Willow decides to continue with his last case assignment: to find a daughter who had been kidnapped as a new born 20 years before. Willow’s decision is confirmed when her home is set on fire and it is apparent that someone wants to stop her from investigating further.

Willow’s ex-beau, Austin McKade, a former FBI agent, had been contacted by Willow’s grandfather to help with the case. He arrives on site just in time to give support and insists on staying to protect Willow.

Willow and Austin discover a thread to follow in the cold case. This little thread takes them to the area of the Grand Tetons in Wyoming which just happens to be Austin’s hometown and the source of the past that has kept him closed off, even from Willow. Since danger follows them, they are sure they are on the right path and getting closer to unraveling history.

I really liked the plot which included a path of crimes involving more than one motive. I did suspect the primary villain but there were twists on the second. Throughout the threats and emotional struggles, Willow and Austin call on their faith backgrounds for support and there are forgiveness and acceptance issues. Their own relationship is rocky and unsettled until the end.

The story is fast paced and reads quickly. I also liked the information on forensic genealogist which was new to me. I recommend this to readers who like light Christian, romantic suspense.

Source: 2018 NetGalley. This qualifies for my 2019TBR, 2019Network and 2019 Alphabet goals.

Audible Book Review: The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband by Julia Quinn

This is nicely romantic although not my favorite by this author.

The Girl with the Make-Believe Husband
A Bridgertons Prequel
By: Julia Quinn
Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor

Series: The Rokesbys, Book 2
Length: 10 hrs and 14 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 05-30-17
Language: English
Publisher: HarperAudio
Genre: Historical Romance, Romantic Comedy
My Rating: 4.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 5.0

Publisher's Summary
With her brother, Thomas, injured on the battlefront in the colonies, orphaned Cecilia Harcourt has two unbearable choices: move in with a maiden aunt or marry a scheming cousin. Instead she chooses option three and travels across the Atlantic, determined to nurse her brother back to health.
But after a week of searching, she finds not her brother but his best friend, the handsome officer Edward Rokesby. He's unconscious and in desperate need of her care, and Cecilia vows that she will save this soldier's life, even if staying by his side means telling one little lie.
When Edward comes to, he's more than a little confused. The blow to his head knocked out three months of his memory, but surely he would recall getting married. He knows who Cecilia Harcourt is - even if he does not recall her face - and with everyone calling her his wife, he decides it must be true, even though he'd always assumed he'd marry his neighbor back in England.
Cecilia risks her entire future by giving herself - completely - to the man she loves. But when the truth comes out, Edward may have a few surprises of his own for the new Mrs. Rokesby.
©2017 Julie Cotler Pottinger (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers

Review:
Cecilia just lost her (less than caring) father when she receives a military letter that her brother Thomas has been injured. Cecilia sets off across the Atlantic to the Colonies to find her brother. Instead she discovers her brother’s best friend, Edward, in hospital. In order to be allowed to take care of Edward, Cecilia impulsively declares that she is Edward’s wife.

Edward wakes up from a coma and recognizes Cecilia from a miniature that Thomas carried. But he has lost several months of his memory and doesn’t remember the circumstances leading to his marriage to Cecilia. It could be, as Cecilia explains, that Thomas asked him to take care of her and that they were married by proxy.

Cecilia was a faithful correspondent with Thomas and after a time Edward shared in those letters. The pair enjoyed sharing humor and a gentle flirtation through the letters. As Cecilia cares for Edward, their friendship grows. Edward is more than open to accepting her as his wife even as he is willing to give her a chance to prepare for consummating the marriage.

Cecilia knows she needs to tell Edward the truth. He is bound to get his memory back at some point. She just can’t seem to find the right time to speak up. Besides, she has talked herself into experience the brief chance at happiness that she might have. Of course, a day of reckoning will come and how will Edward respond to learning she not only made up the lie initially but continued it to a point of compromising his honor?

I really enjoyed the excerpts of the letters that started each chapter. This fills in the history and letter romance that germinates between the pair. I liked the caring, mostly self-assured, character of Cecilia and loved the strongly honorable character of Edward. It was clear from the title and beginning that the pretend marriage was going to create conflict when it would finally be exposed. I had to keep shaking my head as Cecilia remained silent when she could, and should, have spoken out. In addition to that frustration the author pushed my comfort level with a little too much sexual content; not utterly graphic but certainly sizzling. (As much as I do like Julia Quinn she does have a few books that are heavily sizzling, especially some of her early stand alones.) Although this might not be my favorite of the Quinn novels, I do recommend her historical romance titles to readers who enjoy the genre (especially if they like a little zing).

Audio Notes: Rosalyn Landor, as always, is excellent in the narration performance. She presents good voices that fit the personalities and she adds lovely animation to the story. I always like to listen to Landor narrating these titles on audio.

Source: December 2018 Audible Credit. This qualifies for 2019TBR, 2019Audiobook, 2019Alphabet and Continuing Series goals.